The Department of Wildlife Conservation has reported that the carcass of a rare marine mammal, the dugong (Dugong dugon), was found washed ashore at Pesalai beach on the Mannar coastline on November 30.
The 8-foot-2-inch male dugong was initially observed by local fishermen and navy personnel before being examined by wildlife officials.
Upon inspection, the officials noted injuries on the dugong’s underside, including an 11 cm wound near the belly and a 6 cm wound on the right side. The department confirmed that these injuries were caused by a sharp object rather than entanglement in fishing nets. The dugong had died approximately two days before being discovered.
The department highlighted that dugongs are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and face numerous threats, including entanglement in fishing nets, noise pollution from boats, destruction of seagrass habitats, water pollution, chemical contamination, and plastic waste. Dugongs feed primarily on seagrass, making the conservation of these habitats critical for their survival.
The department emphasized the ecological importance of dugongs, noting that they also contribute significantly to eco-tourism in coastal areas and called for continued efforts to protect these rare marine mammals.